Analysis on surgical treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures combined with dislocation / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effect of posterior operation for thoracolumbar burst fractures combined with dislocation. Methods The study involved 22 patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures combined with dislocation admitted into our hospital from October 2005 to March 2008. There were 17 males and 5 females at age range of 18-56 years. The fractures were located at T12-L2. The fractured vertebrae lost its height by 1/4 to 3/4 of the normal height. The upper vertebral dislocation ex-tent was from 25% to 50%. All operations were accomplished within two weeks after injury. The patients were randomly divided into two groups, ie, Group Ⅰ (implanted with 4 pedicle screws in upper and lower vertebrae adjacent to the fractured vertebrae) and Group Ⅱ (implanted with 6 pedicle screws in 2 upper and 1 lower vertebrae adjacent to the fractured vertebrae). The operation time, volume of blood loss, ky-photic angle, neurological function and Low Back Outcome Score (LBOS) were compared between two groups. Results All patients were followed up for 12-36 months. The duration of operation in Group Ⅱ was longer than Group Ⅰ (P < 0.05), with no increase of intraoperative blood loss. Group ⅡI was su-perior to Group Ⅰ in aspects of correction rate, correction loss and implant failure rate (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in aspects of neurological function recovery and low back outcome score be-tween two groups. Conclusion Fixation with three vertebrae and six pedicle screws through posterior approach is an effective, feasible and safe procedure for treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures com-bined with dislocation.